Depression, Mental Breakdown, Etc., Lack Of Faith In God?

[Truth]

In Corinthians we read that God will not allow us to be tempted above what we are able to handle. So, if people break down, go into depression about things, does that indicate a lack of faith or trust in God? Does it mean weakness? The scriptures in Hebrews, BoM, D&C, all talk of God trying His people, chastisement and the like, so does it mean that those that succumb are lacking?

I am not poking fun at people on this, I am being serious. My own long fights with matters I have faced and am now facing and from what I have seen in other people just got me wondering.

[Duncan]

depression can happen to anyone at any time regardless of faithfulness, wealth, church callings etc. perhaps its someone's abrahamic test in life

[Somebodyz]

It's the getting back up again that's important. God knows our weakness and they can be made strong, but sometime we have to go through the fire first or because we lack faith or are lacking in some areas, we put ourselves through the fire...or because life sucks sometimes, bad things happen. We succumb because we are human. Each of us has weaknesses, areas we need to work on. To some more is given and so more is expected. We each have our own lessons to learn, and areas to grow in.

When it comes to breakdowns, mental health issues, there are so many factors...ie the health you were born with, genetic factors, upbringing, it isn't a play field were we are all equal. What does 'lacking' mean to you?

God will make the weak strong. Maybe our weaknesses humble us, and can help make us teachable.

Edited December 9, 2011 by Somebodyz

[thesometimesaint]

Truth:

Mental illness is not a temptation. It is a disease. I had a sister-in-law that died from breast cancer. She was truly a wonderful person. We wouldn't tell someone with cancer that it is a lack of faith that caused them to have cancer, or tell their love ones that lack of faith made them succumb to it. That would be cruel, heartless, and untrue.

[Somebodyz]

Truth:

Mental illness is not a temptation. It is a disease. I had a sister-in-law that died from breast cancer. She was truly a wonderful person. We wouldn't tell someone with cancer that it is a lack of faith that caused them to have cancer, or tell their love ones that lack of faith made them succumb to it. That would be cruel, heartless, and untrue.

Agreed. Yet I've met and can bet many have met people who are slightly depressed, who are focused so much on themselves. Who are not clinically depressed, but can't see the good around them. The cups always half empty sort. Sometimes it's illness, sometimes it's not.

[thesometimesaint]

Somebodyz:

Everyone gets the "Blues" once in a while. That is just part of the human condition. It is still a serious disease whether it meets the criteria of clinical depression or not.

A Russian optimist thinks this is the best of all possible worlds, the Russian pessimist think they might just be right.

[Rivers]

Depression is an ailment. Not a temptation.

[katherine the great]

In Corinthians we read that God will not allow us to be tempted above what we are able to handle. So, if people break down, go into depression about things, does that indicate a lack of faith or trust in God? Does it mean weakness?

I don't think so. Clinical depression is a physical condition that results from a (usually genetic) chemical imbalance. People who have this condition but refuse to seek treatment because of pride probably will be held somewhat accountable (IMO) That being said, I think far more Americans are on anti depressants than probably need to be. The attitude of: "I don't feel good about myself, give me a pill!" is truly deplorable. For the truly clinically depressed and mentally ill though, anti depressants can allow them to function better in society and improve the quality of their lives AND the people who love them!

[thesometimesaint]

ktg:

Long time no see.

The most common non-presciption for depression is booze. Interesting that some people believe that a depressant can "cure" depression. The real problem is that when you stop the brinking of booze, you still have depression and a roaring headache to boot. The first thing a mental health worker does is get the client off the booze. THEN start to work on the underlying problems.

Other prescription antidepressants work reasonably well, usually some modifications are needed, when used in conjunction with talk therapy.

[Libs]

I absolutely agree that depression can be a serious illness that needs to be treated, but for the general, everyday kind of depression that most of us suffer, intermittently, I know that focusing on God and outside of ourselves really does help. I know that from experience.

I was deeply depressed, before I came back to God (about eleven years ago). I had reason to be. I had lost my father to a heart attack, very unexpectedly...that same year, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, so had that battle to fight. Plus, the depression was creating some marital problems. What got me through all of that and out of the mental hole I was in, was solely turning back to God. I had neglected and rejected my spiritual life for a very long time. Turning to God made all the difference in the world.

[zerinus]

In Corinthians we read that God will not allow us to be tempted above what we are able to handle. So, if people break down, go into depression about things, does that indicate a lack of faith or trust in God? Does it mean weakness? The scriptures in Hebrews, BoM, D&C, all talk of God trying His people, chastisement and the like, so does it mean that those that succumb are lacking?

I am not poking fun at people on this, I am being serious. My own long fights with matters I have faced and am now facing and from what I have seen in other people just got me wondering.

Mental depression can have a spiritual origin. The longing of the spirit to find something that is eternal and permanent can lead to very severe depression, if that longing is not satisfied. Many who are driven to suicide have been suffering from this kind of depression.

[Somebodyz]

Somebodyz:

Everyone gets the "Blues" once in a while. That is just part of the human condition. It is still a serious disease whether it meets the criteria of clinical depression or not.

Agree again. I'm not talking of the blues either. I knew a woman, who thought everybody elses children were better than her own, and said so in front of them..in many ways and times. She also thought several of us had better husband than hers, and constantly complained about her's to his face, in front of others and behind his back. She never seemed to see what she had or be able to appreciate her blessings. She's on her third husband and moans about him constantly, and moans that she doesn't see her kids or grandchildren. Sometimes people are depressed, or down, because they are looking in the wrong direction.

A Russian optimist thinks this is the best of all possible worlds, the Russian pessimist think they might just be right.

Edited December 9, 2011 by Somebodyz

[TrueBlue?]

In Corinthians we read that God will not allow us to be tempted above what we are able to handle. So, if people break down, go into depression about things, does that indicate a lack of faith or trust in God? Does it mean weakness? The scriptures in Hebrews, BoM, D&C, all talk of God trying His people, chastisement and the like, so does it mean that those that succumb are lacking?

I am not poking fun at people on this, I am being serious. My own long fights with matters I have faced and am now facing and from what I have seen in other people just got me wondering.

Depression is usually brought on by not enough service to others. Now many will say, that they magnify all there callings and feed the pore and so on. The question is where is the service coming from. People who serve looking to make there day brighter, or to win points with Heavenly Father, are going to be disappointed in the results. Now service expecting nothing except to see a situation improved for another or just knowing that you had done all you could makes all the difference in the world. This is why Paul said that charity was so important. To love your neighbor not with feelings but with action will bring love into your life. This principle works whether it be an neighbor or family. We must first love the verb then the feelings of love will follow. People who feel love are not depressed. Service is the answer. Serve your neighbor, your family. friends and not only will depression go away, but the love of the Savior will fill your life.

[Freedom]

There is a difference between depression and being negative. Many people wallow in self pity because of selfishness or laziness. The challenge for someone observing this behavior is knowing whether their actions are just bad behavior or due to an illness or mental disability. We need to be a support to people with such symptoms and always consider that it may be a medical condition that requires attention. I have witnessed some pretty deplorable behavior that turned out to be the result of a mental illness that was corrected with medication or other means.

[rodheadlee]

Agreed. Yet I've met and can bet many have met people who are slightly depressed, who are focused so much on themselves. Who are not clinically depressed, but can't see the good around them. The cups always half empty sort. Sometimes it's illness, sometimes it's not.

From experience with a family member who is manic depressive/bi-polar as well as a few aquaintances, focusing on their ailment is an obesession. They don't understand why they are like that. It's a chemical imbalance, I can tell when they change ther meds.

[Matthew J. Tandy]

George Albert Smith, Prophet, suffered from serious depression most of his life. I believe at some point cocaine or pot or some such common medicine of the time was even used in his treatment, along with some multi-month excursions to various locations for rest (I want to say sea-side cottages, but it's been a while since I attended the presentation on it all). And yet he was a powerfully faithful individual. He also suffered from lupus in his later life (the depression erroneously being attributed in the Encyclopedia of Mormonism as starting because of it). I take comfort from George Albert Smith whenever I struggle or those around me do. He was a man of God, a prophet, and he could not escape the trials that the Lord had set before him. Instead he found strength of experience in them and was better able to relate to the poor and downtrodden.

[Duncan]

George Albert Smith, Prophet, suffered from serious depression most of his life. I believe at some point cocaine or pot or some such common medicine of the time was even used in his treatment, along with some multi-month excursions to various locations for rest (I want to say sea-side cottages, but it's been a while since I attended the presentation on it all). And yet he was a powerfully faithful individual. He also suffered from lupus in his later life (the depression erroneously being attributed in the Encyclopedia of Mormonism as starting because of it). I take comfort from George Albert Smith whenever I struggle or those around me do. He was a man of God, a prophet, and he could not escape the trials that the Lord had set before him. Instead he found strength of experience in them and was better able to relate to the poor and downtrodden.

Mary Jane Woodger of BYU wrote a lengthy article about this! I used it in a talk I gave about this very subject and got a quite a positive response

[Matthew J. Tandy]

Mary Jane Woodger of BYU wrote a lengthy article about this! I used it in a talk I gave about this very subject and got a quite a positive response

Duncan, do you have a copy of that?!?! All I have are notes from a lecture or two (with no names attached as to who gave them) that I attended while at BYU. I would love to get an actual article for reference! It is truly an inspirational story.

[Nominee]

Duncan, do you have a copy of that?!?! All I have are notes from a lecture or two (with no names attached as to who gave them) that I attended while at BYU. I would love to get an actual article for reference! It is truly an inspirational story.

\

Me too, Duncan! Hook me up if you have it, please.

[Duncan]

\

Me too, Duncan! Hook me up if you have it, please.

I suppose I could, for a nominal fee! ha! JK!

[Nominee]

I suppose I could, for a nominal fee! ha! JK!

[KevinG]

I suppose I could, for a nominal fee! ha! JK!

[KevinG]

Love you Duncan! I just couldn't resist.

I suffer from depression and it can be difficult to separate feelings of worthiness from a clinical, chemical response to environment or biology.

We are told we are not tempted beyond what we can bear. Remember that bearing all things and enduring to the end includes the gifts of the Spirit and Jesus Christ, as well as the benefits of modern medicine.

You would not expect a man to run a marathon with a broken leg until that leg is set and he is rehabilitated. Seeking help for depression is just like getting the leg set.

One more thought that helped me cope with my own situation and lose the pride that kept me from getting help earlier. My Doctor told me when I was diagnosed, "four out of five people suffer from depression and the fifth is in denial". Funny but food for thought.

[Duncan]

Love you Duncan! I just couldn't resist.

I suffer from depression and it can be difficult to separate feelings of worthiness from a clinical, chemical response to environment or biology.

We are told we are not tempted beyond what we can bear. Remember that bearing all things and enduring to the end includes the gifts of the Spirit and Jesus Christ, as well as the benefits of modern medicine.

You would not expect a man to run a marathon with a broken leg until that leg is set and he is rehabilitated. Seeking help for depression is just like getting the leg set.

One more thought that helped me cope with my own situation and lose the pride that kept me from getting help earlier. My Doctor told me when I was diagnosed, "four out of five people suffer from depression and the fifth is in denial". Funny but food for thought.

haha! did you know that the Fonz was Canadian? "Ehhhhhhhhh"!

it's true, you can't pray away a broken arm

Edited December 10, 2011 by Duncan

[Calm]

Depression is usually brought on by not enough service to others. .

Depends on what type of depression one is talking about. Some of the most service oriented (in the right way ) people I know have issues with chronic depression. For some the cause is likely a genetic tendency, some others I know have chronic illness, often connected with depression.